Michael Olise was Bayern Munich's 'best player' v Celtic and 'could be as good as anyone' - Owen Hargreaves

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Michael Olise made the headlines following a superb opening goal in Wednesday night's UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off first leg against Celtic, as the Bavarian giants claimed a 2-1 victory. Vincent Kompany's side held off a late resurgence from The Hoops and hold a small advantage heading into next Tuesday's second leg. Owen Hargreaves believes the sky is the limit for Olise.

'Can be as good as anyone' - Hargreaves hails Olise for making ‘huge jump’ from Palace to Bayern

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Owen Hargreaves waxed lyrical about Michael Olise following the Frenchman’s superb display in Bayern Munich’s 2-1 win over Celtic in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off first leg.

Olise opened the scoring with a stunning left-footed strike at Celtic Park before Harry Kane scored an ultimately decisive second to give the Bundesliga leaders a slender lead heading into next Tuesday’s second leg.

Daizen Maeda halved the deficit to set up a nervy finish for Vincent Kompany’s men, but they held on and remain on course to qualify for a 17th consecutive season in the round of 16.

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Meanwhile, The Hoops will be licking their wounds after suffering a first home defeat in any competition since December 2023, after playing their first Champions League knockout tie in 12 years.

Former Bayern midfielder Hargreaves praised Olise for seamlessly adapting to life in Bavaria, and his ability to compete alongside the game’s biggest names.

The Frenchman has now scored 11 goals across all competitions this season, including five in the Champions League.

Highlights: Defiant Celtic keep play-off alive against Bayern

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"He could be as good as anyone if he wants to," Hargreaves told TNT Sports.

"First time in the Champions League as well, it's a huge jump from Crystal Palace. He did brilliantly there, but to jump into a team like Bayern Munich - credit to him.

"He's got some brilliant competition there; [Leroy] Sane, [Kingsley] Koman, [Serge] Gnabry, [Jamal] Musiala - really top players.

"But he has a calmness in front of goal, which is really unique, and I think he suits this Bayern Munich team beautifully. He plays in on that right, comes in on that left."

Hargreaves admits that Celtic could have perhaps done more to stop the 23-year-old from netting that opener, but recognised how hard it is to stop players with such high individual talent.

He continued: "The one thing I would say for Brendan [Rodgers] is, you can't let him come in on his left.

'Not an easy place to come' - Kane 'pleased' as Bayern hang on to slender play-off lead

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"Obviously, he's got to go down that right-hand side, but the great players often always get it on their left.

"But he was the best player, along with [Joshua] Kimmich in the game today."

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